Lawyer: 3 Delhi rape suspects to plead not guilty

Thursday, January 10, 2013

NEW DELHI - A lawyer for three suspects in the brutal rape and killing of a young woman in New Delhi says they will plead not guilty in the case that has transfixed India and raised questions about the treatment of women.

Manohar Lal Sharma says he represents bus driver Ram Singh, Ram Singh's brother Mukesh, and another man, Akshay Thakur. The lawyer spoke briefly on his way into a New Delhi court complex for a hearing for those accused of attacking the woman on the bus in India's capital.

Thursday's hearing is expected to result in the case being sent to a special "fast-track" court. India's legal system is notoriously slow and inefficient, but officials are eager to make sure the high-profile case moves quickly.